Making a will is one of the most important things you can do for your loved ones. A will is a detailed record of how you want your estate to be handled after your death. A well-written will eases the transition for your family by transferring property quickly and avoiding many tax burdens.
In spite of these advantages, studies show that most Americans do not have a valid will. If you die without making a will, Michigan state laws will determine how and to whom your assets will be distributed. Making a will with the help of a Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids wills lawyer can give you the peace of mind that your loved ones will be provided for as well as possible.
What to Include in a Will
Here are some of the things you can include in a will:
- A description of your estate, including such things as real estate, financial accounts, insurance policies, and family heirlooms.
- The people who will receive specific assets in your estate.
- Trusts that you wish to establish for your children.
- A guardian you wish to appoint for your child.
- Gifts you wish made to charity.
- The person you wish to serve as the executor of your estate, who carries out the instructions in your will.
- People whom you choose to disinherit, who might otherwise expect to receive assets from your estate. You cannot disinherit your spouse, unless he or she has agreed to be disinherited in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. In the absence if such an agreement, Michigan law determines the amount of your estate that your spouse would automatically inherit.
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If you live in a blended family, it is very important that you update your will to reflect how you wish your assets to be distributed among the members of your current family and children from your previous marriage. Not updating your will could result in unintended consequences, such as disinheriting your children from a previous marriage, or giving an inheritance to your former spouse that you do not wish to provide.
While there are templates and computer software that you can use to write your will without the assistance of a Grand Rapids or Kalamazoo wills attorney, these methods have many pitfalls that could be missed until your estate is being settled and it is too late to make changes. Hiring a wills lawyer in Grand Rapids to guide you through the process costs a little more, but the peace of mind you gain from having help from an experienced professional is priceless. Willis Law, Attorneys & Counselors, have a dedicated team of seasoned wills attorneys in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo.
To get skilled legal advice from an experienced wills attorney in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Paw Paw, please contact Willis Law, Attorneys & Counselors, toll free at 866-473-5636, or submit our online email form. We serve all of West Michigan.
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